Mineral Resources Development Act 1995

The area of land comprised in a licence must not exceed – for a licence relating to Category 1, 3 or 5 minerals, 10 square kilometres; or for a licence relating to Category 2, 4 or 6 minerals, 50 square kilometres.

A licence of any kind or a lease is not affected by an application under section 47 for a licence.

On the granting of an application under section 47 for a licence in relation to a mineral, or a category of mineral, an area of land to which the application relates that is subject to an exploration licence in relation to the same mineral, or the same category of minerals, ceases to be subject to the exploration licence.

An area of land comprised in a licence in respect of a mineral or a category of minerals – must not include an area which is the subject of a lease in respect of the mineral or category of minerals; and must not include an area which is the subject of an application for a lease.

Land comprised in a licence may be either or both of the following:the same size as, or smaller than, the area of land in respect of which the licence was sought; different in shape from the area of land in respect of which the licence was sought.